Automobile body construction



Feb. 20, 1940. J, M. ATWATER AUTOMOBILE BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed April 14, 1937 IN-IVENTOR Jack M. Aiwaei' BY M /IW A ORNEY Patented Feb. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMOBILE nonYcoNs'rnUc'noN Jack M. Atwater, New York, N. Y.

Application April 14, 1931, Serial No. 136,720 13 Claims. (01. 296-107) This invention relates to vehicle construction and more particularly to automobile body construction.

One of the objects of this invention is to pro- 5 vide a practical and dependable all-metal body construction in which the roof portion is capable its movement is simple, convenient and reliable.

15 Another object is to provide a construction ofthe above-mentioned character in which the roof portion, when withdrawn from its normal position, will be eifectively out of sight and in which the resultant exterior of the body will have or may be given a neat, r eek, and unbroken appearance. Another object is to provide a body construction which may be quickly and easily converted from a coup type of construction to an open or roadster type of construction, or vice versa. Another object is to provide a construction of the last-mentioned character in which the conversion may be achieved without unduly, if at all, encroaching upon the rear space of the body, such as the space usually utilized for a so-called rumble seat. Another object is to provide a construction of the above-mentioned character whereby such objects as those set forth may be carried out without awkwardness or abnormality of appearance and whereby, if desired, present-day standards of shape, appearance and ornamentation may be retained.

Another object is to provide a readily convertible all-metal body construction of the abovementioned character in which the structural feaor line construction and assembly may be adhered to or carried out. Another object is to prov de a convertible construction of the abovementioned character in which such advantages and objects, avoidance of rattling, compactness of construction. power actuation of the movable part of the body, simple and convenient control thereof, and the like, may be carried out and achieved in a practical, dependable and inexpensive manner. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out' hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and tures are such that existing methods of routine the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automobile having certain parts broken away and certain parts sectioned in order to better portray certain features of construction;

Figure 2 is a vertical centralsectional view on an enlarged scale of one of the pivot structures and related coacting and controlling parts for pivoting the movable body portion and may be considered to be a-vertical sectional view alongalong the line 2-2 ofLFigure 4 which is later described herein;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the pivot construction as seen along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view as seen from above in Figure l, certain parts being broken 7 ing.

Referring now first to Figure 1, I have shown in side elevation an automobile whose body illustratively and preferably has the shape and appearance of a so-called coup; the body proper is indicated generally by the reference character l0 and excepting for features later described herein may be of usual or standard construction, having related thereto in the usual manner any usual type of prime mover and running and operating gear. It may also, for example, have at its rear end a usual form or shape of opening covered by the cover H which when opened up, as shown in Figure 1, forms the back for a rumble seat of usual shape, location and construction.

At the rear of the hood, the body is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly slanting frame generally indicated at I2 and extending transversely of the body and in the frame I2 is mounted andcompletely framed thereby the front glass or window I3 (Figure 4) usually called the windshield. The upper portion of thebody, forming what I shall term the roof portion, is indicated generally'by the reference character I4. Like the other portions of the body it is preferably maue of a suitable sheet metal and illustratively conformed and shaped substantially as shown, having forward, lateral and rear curvatures to merge neatly and gracefully into the body proper of the vehicle. At its forward or left-hand portion, as viewed in Figures 1 and 4, the roof portion I4 is shaped, as is also the upper portion of ure 4; these devices may, for example, comprise disconnectable toggle connectors analogous to above-mentioned interfitting of the parts I2 and- I4 may be maintained tight and secure and also against rattling, and thus also the forward part of the roof portion I4 is given a strong and dependable support. At the same time, the undoing of these toggle connectors from the interior may be quickly achieved manually, for purposes later described.

The extreme rearward end of the roof portion I4 has a horizontal peripherally extending flange ll'which with the roof porton I4 in the position shown in Figure 1 laps over the sheet metal. I8 of the top of the rear body portion; between the parts I1 and I8 and secured to one of them, illustratively to the flange I1, is a gasket I9 preferably in the form of relatively soft rubber of relatively substantial cross-section. The gasket I9 not only causes the mechanical interconnection between the roof portion I4 and the rear body portion but also effects a weather-tight sealing joint or connection therebetween, when the roof portion I4 is the lateral and downwardly curved and extending parts of the structure I4. The arms 29, 2I extend forwardly and as about to be described are related to respective pivot structures generally indicated at 22 and 23 in Figure 4. These pivot structures are of similar and "symmetrical construction and action and hence it will suffice to describe only one in detail, and accordingly reference may now be made to Figures 2 and 3, in which a preferred form is shown In Figure 2 is shown the arm provided on its face toward the central longitudinal planeof the vehicle body with a preferred cylindrical housing 24 related thereto in any suitable manner, as by bolts 25, being open at its end toward the outside of the car; housing 24 carries a pivot pin or stud 26, preferably solid. Stud 26 is nonrotatably but slidably related to the housing 24; accordingly, the stud 26 has a slot or keyway 21 in which engages the key or spline 28, the latter being fixed to the interior of the housing 24. Accordingly, the pivot stud 25 must rotate with the arm 20 when the latter swings but can slide along its axis relative to the housing 24. m Figure 2 the pivot stud is shown as extended outwardly of the housing24, being in its outermost position.

In this position pivot stud 26 is entered into a cylindrical bearing housing 29 of a sheet metal member 30 fixedly positioned just to the inside of the side sheet metal portion 3| of the body It). The bearing housing 29 is shaped as is shown in Figures 2 and 3, having an upper cylindrical wall portion 29 of substantially 180 extent but of greater axial dimension than the lower and complementary cylindrical wall portion 29* which is also of 180 extent, for a purpose later described,

The pivot stud 26 has a helical groove or slot 32 extending throughout substantially 90 (Figures 2 and 3) and terminating in the right-hand or front face of the stud 26, as at 33. In axial extent the slot 32 is proportioned with respect I to the axial extent of the overhanging cylindrical wall portion 29 substantially as indicated in Figure 2; in the part 29 is fixedly mounted a pin 34 which extends into the slot 32.

Accordingly, it will be seen that if the arm 20 is swung toward the observer, viewing Figure 2, as happens when the roof portion I4 of Figure 1 is swung in clockwise direction about the pivots 22, 23, the bearing housing 24 and the pivot stud 26 partake of a corresponding rotary movement but since the pin 34 is stationary, the resultant cam action between the pin and the groove 32 causes the 'pivot stud 26 to go toward the left. By the time it has completed this leftward movement, its right-hand end is brought out of engagement with the axially-shorter cylindrical wall portion 29*, so that the support of the pivot stud 26 and its related parts by the bearing housing 29 ceases. The pivotal connection is thereby disengaged, the same thing happening with respect to the other pivotal structure 23, whence a motion of translation of the roof portion I4 in a downward direction may take place, that roof portion by that time having assumed a substantially vertical, as distinguished from its present horizontal, position,

Extending crosswise of the end of the pivot stud 26 is a T-slot 36, preferably slightly curved but substantially diametrical; it is so positioned that by the time the above-described 90 rotary movement of the stud 26 has taken place, the T- slot 36, theretofore positioned as shown in Figure 6, is brought into alinement with the upper end 31 of a guide rail 31 cross-sectioned as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The disconnection of the pivot stud 25 from the bearing housing 29is thus at once succeeded by the telescoping of the T-slot .36 over the upper end 31 of the guide rail 31,

a similar action taking place in the pivot stud 23 on the other side of the vehicle.

The ensuing motion of translation of the roof structure I4 is thus guided by the two side rails 31, 31 (Figure 4) which in extent and curvature are substantially as is better shown in Figure l. The guide rail 31 is secured tothe inner face of the member 30, and the curvature of the slot 36 matches the curvature of the rail 31.

In Figure l is shown a seat which extends entirely across the interior of the car body; it

i and related mechanisms.

amazes upper side ends of the frame 42 that the members 30 (Figure 2), which carry the respective bearing housings 29 and which are of appropriate shape and expanse (not shown in detail), are secured; the resultant forward and downward extensions of the rails 31 (Figures 1 and 4) thus pass each to one side of the seat, toward which they respectively face.- Thus, with a rigid and strong seat frame 42, the pivot structures 22, 23 and the guide rails 31 are given solid and rigid support. The sheet metal parts 30, also, prevent exposure to view from the exterior of the vehicle, when the doors are opened, of the rails Likewise, there is afforded rigid support for certain other parts later to be described.

Along the central longitudinal axis of the roof portion I4 which, as above noted, is preferably made of sheet metal like the rest of the body, is secured and extends a rack (Figures 1, 4 and 6). The rack may be of any suitable. con-' struction and may, for example, be made of suitably heavy sheet metal. It preferably conforms to the shape of the roof 'portion, as better appears from Figure 1, and preferably its right-hand portion 50 is given a curvature or are whose center of curvature is at the common axis of the two pivot structures 22, 23 and for reasons later set forth this rack portion 5,0 is extended downward beyond the lower rear edge of the roof portion I4, as shown in Figure l. Illustratively, the curved portion 5|] may be of an extent substantially equal to 90. In Figure 1 the forward portion is indicated by the reference character 50.

Secured to the rear or upstanding part 42, of the seat frame 42 is a bracket 5I which may and preferably does have a horizontally extending cover plate 52 which closes and forms a shelf over the gap between the rear of the seat back 4| and the lower rear end of the roof portion I4.

The rack 50 meshes with an appropriate gear, such as a spur gear 54, and the latter I prefer to drive from a suitable source of power, preferably a source of energy derived from the power plant or motive power of the vehicle. A preferred form of drive may take the following'form: The bracket 5| is shaped or constructed to provide a strong rotatable support for a spur gear 54 which meshes with the rack 50 and which, like the latter, is therefore positioned in the central longitudinal plane of the vehicle body. Coaxial with the spur gear 54 and rigidly connected to it is a worm wheel 55 which meshes with a worm 56 on the upper end of an inclined shaft 51 which may be given bearing supports 58 that depend from the bracket 5I. At the'other end of the shaft 51 is a worm wheel 59 that meshes with a worm 60 on the shaft of an electric motor 63 which is secured to the back 42 of the seat frame 42.

The inclusion of at least one worm and worm wheel in this driving train insures, aside from the resultant gear reduction, an irreversible drive, a feature which I preferably employ to achieve certain other advantages later noted.

The motor 63 derives its energy preferably from the usual storage battery 65 carried by the vehicle for operating other auxiliaries, such as the light, starting motor for the engine, and the like, or from a generator 66 (Figure 7) driven by the prime mover of the vehicle or from both battery and generator depending upon whether or not a suitable automatic switch 61 connects the generator and storage battery together as it usually does during charging of the battery. Also, and preferably, the motor 63 is a series motor and hence, as shown in Figure 7, has a series field,

winding 68. An advantage in utilizing a motor resides in the ease with which it may be reversed and hence the ease with which the position of the roof portion I4 may be changed. Illustrative and preferred circuit arrangements are later described. I

As is better shown in Figures 1 and 4, there is secured to the underside of the rear body portion II! a roller I0 preferably of relatively large diameter and preferably also relatively broadfaced, being as shown and preferably provided with a relatively thick yieldable face or surface; the latter is illustratively and preferably made of rubber. The roller 10 may be supported as by a bracket II secured to the under side of the sheet metal portion I8 and its left-hand edge is in alinement with the path of movement, of the outer surface of the roof portion I4 as the latter is swung upwardly and downwardly. The roller I0 is, moreover, positioned on the longitudinal axis of the body and hence, as the roof portion I4 is moved by the gear 54, roller I0. forms a strong and slightly yieldable backing or guide for the roof portion I4 and particularly for the rack 50, roller I0 and gear 54 being in juxtaposition to each other and forming together a throat between which the rack 50 and the interposed part of the roof portion I4 must always pass or move. Also, the yielding surface of the roller Ill insures against marring the finish of the exterior of the roof portion I4. As shown in Figure 4 the underlapping flange I'I with'ru'bber gasket I9 is cut away as at II so as to bypass the roller '10.

The interior face of the roof portion I4 may be finished off in any usual or standard manner as by cloth, leather, or other fabric or sheet material. In Figures 5 and 6 such finishing material is shown at I2 and the rack 50 may be secured as by screws or rivets I3 directly against the finishing material I2- which thus becomes interposed between the rack 50 and the sheet metal of the roof portion I4, the rack thus aiding in holding the material 12 in place.

However, before thus securing the rack in position, there is interposed between it and the finishing material I2 a longitudinally slit sleeve I4, preferably made of a material similar to or matching the finishing material 12 and provided along its two longitudinal edges with interlock ing or interengageable prongs or parts I5 and I6 operable by a relatively slidable locking member 11 (Figure 5), these elements I5, I6 and ll being of the usual or well-known zipper type of construction. They are related to the slit sleeve I4 in such a manner that the sleeve is closed if the locking member 11 were moved therealong toward the right, as viewed in Figure l, and opened if moved toward the left. However, the locking member 1! is anchored as by an anchoring link I8 (Figure 5) to the closure or shelf 52, the anchorage being as shown in Figure 1 just above the gear 54.

Accordingly, if the roof portion I4 is swung in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure l, the zipper lock member 11 remains stationary while the rack with its slit sleeve is made to move downwardly past the anchored lock member 11, thus parting or opening up the theretofore closed sleeve as the latter with the rack is swept or moved past the anchored lock member 11. Thus, as the rack 50 is presented to the gear 54 through the transverse narrow space between the closure 52 and the rear body portion l8 (Figure 1), the rack is uncovered and exposed to the gear for actuation thereby. Reverse actuation of the roof portion l4 into the position shown in Figure 1 brings about a reverse action in that the zipper parts 15, [9 become interlocked and .thus at no time is the rack 50 exposed tov sight or view, and neatness and trlmness of appearance is maintained.

An illustrative circuit arrangement for the motor 63 is shown in Figure '7 and preferably it embodies limit switches as well as a reversing control for the motor. Thus, a reversing switch, generally indicated at 89, may have two movable switch members A and B insulated from each other and provided with a suitable handle 8| for manual actuation. The switch 80 may, for exr tion of Figure 1 to its disappeared position; the

resultant circuit for the motor 63 is thus as follows:

From one terminal of the source of electrical energy, such as the battery 65, conductor 84., conductor 85, contacts D and B, conductor 99, motor armature 63, conductor 81, switch contacts A and C, conductor 88, limit switch 89 (in closed position), conductors 99 and 9|, series field winding 68 and by way of conductor 92'back to the other side of the battery 65. As just stated, limit switch 89, for that circuit, is in closed position; it may be of any suitable. construction, preferably spring-actuated in circuitclosing direction, and may be positioned with relation to any suitable moving part of the arrange ment above described to be opened when the roof portion [4 reaches its desired or limiting position within the vehicle body. Thus, in Figure 1 and by way of illustration, I have shown the limit switch 89 positioned underneath the seat frame 42 and in a position to be engaged by the downwardly extending or right-hand end of the rack 59 when the latter has reached its desired and.

extreme position. Upon being thus engaged (see dotted line position in Figure 1), switch 89 is opened and the above-described driving circuit of the motor 63 is interrupted. Switch lever 8| may be left in its left-hand position, and an advantage achieved by the above-described circuit arrangement is thus that for a subsequent actuation of the roof portion l4 to restore it to its body-covering position, no more is needed than to actuate the switchlever 8| in the only remaining-direction of which it is capable.

Actuating the lever toward the right, therefore, brings contacts A and B into engagement with contacts E and F and effects a reverse rotation or drive of the motor 63 through a circuit which may be traced as follows:

From one side of the source of electrical energy, conductor 84, conductor 93, limit switch 94 (now closed), conductor 95, switch contacts E and A, conductor 81, motor armature 63, conductor 86, switch contacts B and F, conductor 96, conductor 9|, series field winding 68, and by way of conductor 92 back to the other side of the source.

The motor thus restores the roof portion I4 to the position shown in Figure 1 and when that position is reached, limit switch 94 is actuated to interrupt the motor circuit and hence stop the drive of the-motor. Limit switch 94 may be given any suitable position with relation to any appropriate moving part of the arrangement above-described in detail, and illustratively it may be positioned as indicated in Figure 4 at 94 to have itsmovable part engaged by the flange I1 and moved into circuit-opening position only when the flange l1 reaches its uppermost position, as shown in Figure 1.

Having thus restored the roof portion [4, the catches l and it earlier above described, and of course released when necessary, are restored to efiect the above-described tight interlocking between the frame part I2 and the roof portion i4.

In the course of the movement of the roof portion i4 into the vehicle body, several unique coactions take place. Thus, for example, the gear 54 is, of course, eifective first upon the 90 sector or portion 50 of the rack and hence throughout that action is efiective to tilt the roof portion l4 throughout substantially 90 about the axes of the pivot structures 22 and 23. But by the time that 90 swinging movement has taken place, the two pivot studs 26 (Figure 2) of the two pivot structures have been likewise rotated through 90 and by the action above described in detail are withdrawn from the bearing housing 29 and their respective T-slots 36 have become alined to receive the guide rails 31. The power driven gear 54 of course continues to rotate and in coaction with the backing roller ill to feed now the remaining portion 59 of the rack downwardly; with the pivot supports theretofore provided by the parts 2629, now lacking, the power of the gear 54 coupled with the weight of the parts causes the entire roof portion l4 as a unit to partake of movement of translation coupled by a tilting movement in clockwise direction, both of these movements resulting from the coaction between the particular curvature of the guide rails 31 (see Figure 1) and the continued drawing downwardly between the gear 54 and the roller 10 of the remaining portion 50 of the rack 59, the roof portion l4 finally assuming a position as indicated in the broken lines in Figure 1. In that position it will be seen that its normal rear and lower portion becomes telescoped down in under the seat 49 or seat frame 42 while its normal left-hand or front portion comes to a stop just below the left-hand edge of the rear sheet metal body portion 18, limit switch 89 insuring the halting at such a point that gear 54 remains meshed with the rack and remains backed up by the yielding-faced roller 10. These two parts act to sustain that end of the roof portion while the guide rails 31 act to sustain the weight of the other end of the roof portion. Rattlingor movement of the roof portion in this position is dependably precluded because of these supports, it being noted that the worm and worm wheel connections eiiectively prevent the weight .of the roof portion 14 from driving or rotating the gear 54 and hence the latteracts as a dependable anchoring or fastening for the roof portion when in this position, just as much as it does when in its normal or body-covering position, as shown in Figure 1.

When thus telescoped in under the seat, an

the various objects hereinbefore noted, together apron or boot may, if desired, be set over the shelf or closure 52; this boot is generally indicated in Figure l at 98; it is preferably of sheet metal having slotted side flanges 99 and is normally telescoped into a suitable space provided between the frame part 42 and the seat back 4I. Suitable pins I engage in the slots in the lateral flanges 99, and act also as a hinged connection, pins I00 being suitably supported from the seat frame 42*.

The boot or apron 98 may thus be hauled upwardly out of its above-described telescopic relationship, and-by the time the pins I00 engage the lower ends of the lateral slots, the apron 08 may be swung in clockwise direction to cover over the shelf 52 and the narrow spaces through which the roof portion I4 has disappeared into the vehicle body. Any suitable weather-tight connection of the apron with the body portion I8 of the vehicle may be provided.

The vehicle now becomes an open or roadster type of vehicle, the front frame portion I2 with its window functioning as a windshield. The side doors I02, hinged as at I03, continue to function in the usual or normal way and the usual type of window glass I04 with which they are provided and arranged to be raised or lowered may be, when the vehicle is open, utilized or not as desired, it being understood, of course, that when the roof I4 is in its normal or covering position, such window glasses coact therewith to complete the side closures or to close over the gaps between the lower edges I05 of the downwardly curved side paths of the roof portion I4 and the doors I02. Preferably, the paths of upward movement of the glasses I04 of clined upwardly toward each other slightly to insure that the glasses interfit appropriately with the edges I05, respectively.

To restore the roof portion I4 to its covering position, the apron 98 is restored to its telescopic relationship in back of the seat back 4!. Switch 80 is actuated as above described, gear 54 begins to turn, and in coaction with the roller and the curvatures of the guide rails 31,- effects a motion of' both translation and swinging of the roof portion I4 upwardly and in counter-clockwise direction. By the time the gear 54 has reached the 90 sector 50 of the rack 50, the pivot studs 26 have ridden out of engagement with the rails 31 and further motion of translation of the roof portion I4 is halted because of the engagement of the pivot studs 26 with the overhanging portion 29 of the bearing housing 29 and pin 34 is engaged with the cam slot 32. Preferably pin 34 is diametrically opposite the upper end of rail 31 so that upward movement of the pivot stud 26 just before the latterdisengages from the rail 31 effects entry of pin 34 into the slot 32. The continued drive of the gear 54 is thus made to effect thereafter a counter-clockwise pivoting or swinging movement of the roof portion I4 and hence also of the pivot studs 26, the latter being by the action of the pin 34 and cam slot 32 projected into the bearing housing 29 to thereafter afford a dependable pivotal support for the roof portion I4.

By the time theforward portion of the roof portion I4 interengages the frame portion I2, so that the catches I5 and 16 may be operated, the limit switch 94 has stopped the drive of the motor and now the gear 54-acts to take part in the supporting of the roof structure I4 against rattling or movement.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided in this invention a construction in which the two doors are inroof portion when depressed with the seat makes for efiicient utilization of effective space, and in that connection it may be noted that neither the mechanism nor the depression of the roof por tion needs vmake any encroachment upon the usual manner of utilization of the rearmost portion of the vehicle body, such as, for example, for a rumble seat. Also, the mechanism will be seen to be dependably foolproof and easily controlled or actuated and hence well adapted to meet the varying conditions of practical use.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, "it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawing, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In construction of the character described, in combination, a vehicle body of the coup type having a seat with a space in back of it and a space in under it and a roof portion extending forwardly over the seat and rearwardly and downwardly in back of the seat, said roof portion having rack means extending lengthwise thereof and partaking of the same curvature, gear means meshing with said rack means, and means forming a connection between said roof portion and said body for pivotally supporting the former throughout a first range of actuation of said gear and. rack means to effect tilting of said top por-- tion into said first-mentioned space and for mov- -ably supporting and guiding said roof portion for motion of translation during a second range of actuation of said gear and rack-means to carry said roof portion substantially completely into said body and to be accommodated in both of said spaces, said rack having a portion that is of a curvature appropriate to coact with said gear during pivoting of said roof portion throughout said first range of actuation and having another forwardly over .the seat and rearwardly and,

downwardly in back of the seat, said roof portion having rack means extending lengthwise thereof and partaking of substantially the same curvature, gear means meshing with said rack means, and means forming a connection between said roof portion and said body for pivotally supporting the former throughout a first range of actuation of said gear and rack means to effect tilting of said top portion into said first-mentioned space and for movably supporting and guiding said roof portion for motion of translapractical, is arranged and tion during a second range of actuation of said gear and rack means to carry said roof portion substantially completely into said body and to 'be accommodated in both of said spaces;-said of said two pivot structures, the parts of said" two pivot structures and said two guide means thereafter coacting to efiect said motion of translation during said second range of actuation of said gear and rack.

3. In construction of the character described, in combination, a vehicle body of the coup type having a space in back of the seat thereof and having a roof portion extending forwardly over said seat and rearwardly and downwardly over the space in back of said seat, means mounting said roof portion for movement in a direction into said space or out of said space, said roof portion having on the inner face thereof a rack substantially approximating the contour thereof, driving means including gear means meshing with said rack, being positioned substantially in the upper portion of said space, flexible means closing over said rack to substantially cover it from view when said roof portion is in its normal position, and means responsive to movement of said roof portion for operating upon said flexible means to uncover said rack as said roof portion moves into said space and to cover said rack as said roof portion moves out of said space.

4. A construction as claimed in claim 3 in which said flexible cover means is slit and has zipper prongs along its adjacent edges and lock means for effecting interlocking of said prongs upon relative movement therebetween, said movement-responsive means comprising said lock means and means for holding said lock means against movement whereby said zipper connection is actuated as said roof portion is moved relative to said lock means.

5. In construction of the character described, in combination, a vehicle body of the coup type having a space in back of the seat thereof and having a roof portion extending forwardlyover said seat and rearwardly and downwardly over the space in back of said seat, means mounting said roof portion for movement in a direction into said space or out of said space, driving means for ,efiecting movement of said roof portion and comprising a reversible electric motor, and a manually operable reversing switch therefor, said reversing switch having two possible positions, and two limit switches responsive respectively to the two possible extreme positions of said roof portion for respectively interrupting a circuit of the motor independently of said reversing switch and at the completion of its driving operation and preparing a reversing circuit for said motor to be completed when said switch is moved to its other position, there being disconnectable fastening means between said vehicle body and said roof portion at at least one of said two extreme positions for holding the limit switch actuated at said extreme position in actuated position and for holding said roof portion against movement in a direction toward the other of said extreme positions.

6. In construction of the character described, in combination, a vehicle body of the coup type said gear means having a space in back of the seat thereof and having a rigid self-contained roof portion extending forwardly over said seat and rearwardly and downwardly over the space in back of said seat,

said roof portion being movable as a unit, means mounting said roof portion for movement in a direction into said space or out of said space, said roof portion having extendingtherealong in said direction of movement an elongated rack on one side of its wall, said body having a rear part terminating short of said seat to provide a mouth for said space, a gear positioned adjacent the upper part of said space and the said mouth and meshing with said rack, and a roller carried by said rear body part and at said mouth and juxtaposed to said gear but on the other side of said roof portion and forming with said gear a throat for receiving said elongated rack, and for maintaining said rack in driving connection with said gear and for effecting a proper feeding'of said roof portion withits rack to said gear as said roof portion is moved.

7. In construction of the character described, in combination, a vehicle body of the coup type having a space in back of the seat thereof and having a roof portion extending forwardly over said seat and rearwardly and downwardly over the space in back of said seat, means mounting said roof portion for movement in a direction into said space or out of said space, said mounting means including two spaced. guideways each having a follower and each follower having means forming a disconnectable pivotal connection with side portions of said roof portion, and mechanism actuated in response to movement of said roof portion for operating upon said disconnectable pivot means to effect disconnection thereof at a point intermediate of the entire range of movement of said roof portion according to the direction of movement of the latter, whereby movement of said roof portion takes place in two stages one of which is a pivoting movement and the other of which includes movement of translation.

8. In construction of the character described, in combination, a vehicle body of the coup type having a space in back of the seat thereof and having a roof portion extending forwardly over said seat andgearwardly and downwardly over the space in back of said seat, means mounting said roof portion for movement in a direction into said space or out of said space, said mounting means including two spaced guidcways each having a follower and each follower having means forming a disconnectable pivotal connection with side portions of said roof portion, rack and gear means for effecting movement of said roof portion in a direction into or out of said space and mechanism actuated inresponse to the completion of a certain portion of such movement for operating upon said disconnectable pivot means and effecting connection or disconnection thereof according to the directions of movement of said roof portion.

9. In construction of the character described, in combination, a closed vehicle body having a roof portion with means movably mounting said roof portion for movement in opening or closing position, said roof portion having on a face thereof a rack extending in the general direction of movement of said roof portion, driving means including gear means meshing with said rack for effecting movement of said roof portion, flexible means closing over said rack to substantially cover it from view when said roof portion is in its normal position, and means responsive to movement 15 effecting disconnection or connection of said disof said roof portion for operating upon said flexible means to uncover said rack as said roof portion moves into opening position and to cover said rack as said roof portion moves into normal or closing position.

10. In construction of the character described, in combination, a vehicle body of the coup type having a space in back of the seat thereof and having'a roof portion extending forwardly over said seat and rearwardly and downwardly over the space in back of said seat, means mounting said roof portion for movement in a direction into said space or out of said space, said mounting means including, two spaced guideways each having a follower and each follower having means forming a disconnectable pivotal connection with side portions of said roof portion, and -means responsive to movement of said roof portion for connectable pivot means at a point intermediate of the entirerange of movement of said roof portion according to the direction of movement of the latter, whereby movement of said roof portion takes place in two stages one of which is a pivoting movement and the other of which includes movement of translation, said means forming a disconnectable pivotal connection comprising a stud and a socket-like housing therefor, said means responsive to movement of said roof portion for effecting disconnection or connection of said disconnectable pivot means comprising mechanism actuated by the movement of the roof portion for moving said stud into or out of said socket-like housing'according to the direction of movement of said roof portion.

11. In construction of the character described,

' in combination, a vehicle body of the coup type having a space in back of the seat thereof and having-a roof portion extending forwardly over said seat and rearwardly and downwardly over the space in back of said seat, means mounting said roof portion for movement in a. direction into said space or out of said space, said mounting means including two. spaced guideways each having a follower and each follower having means forming a disconnectable pivotal connection with side portions of said roof portion, and means responsive to movement of said roof portion for effecting disconnection or connection of said disconnectable pivot means at a point intermediate of the entire range of movement of said roof portion according to the direction of movement of the latter, whereby movement of said roof portion takes place in two stages one of which is a pivoting movement and the other of which includes movement of translation, said means forming a disconnectable pivotal connection comprising a stud and a socket-like housing therefor, said means responsive to movement of said roof portion for effecting disconnection or connection of said disconnectable pivot means comprising mechanism actuated by the movement of the roof portion for moving said stud into or out of said socket-like housing according to the direction of movement of said roof portion, said follower comprising an end portion of said stud, said end portionbeing shaped to coact with its guideway.

12. In construction of the character described, in combination, a vehicle body of the coup type having a space in back of the seat thereof and having a roof portion extending forwardly over said seat and rearwardly and downwardly over the space in back of saidseat, means mounting said roof portion for movement in a direction into said space or out of said space, said mounting means including two spaced guideways each having a follower and each follower having means forming a disconnectable pivotal connection with side portions of said roof portion, and means responsive to movement of said roof portion for effecting disconnection or connection of said disconnectable pivot means at a point intermediate of the entire range of movement of said roof portion according to the direction of movement of the latter, whereby movement of said roof portion takes place in two stages one of which is a pivoting movement and the other of which includes movement of translation, said means forming-a disconnectable pivotal connection comprising a stud and a socket-like housing therefor, said means responsive to movement of said roof portion for effecting disconnection or connection of said disconnectable pivot means comprising mechanism actuated by the movement of the roof portion for moving said stud into or out of said socket-like. housingaccording to the direction of movement of said roof portion, said follower comprising an end portion of said stud, movement of said stud as aforesaid into or out of said socketlike housing effecting also the bringing of said end stud portion out of or into operative engagement with its guideway.

13. In construction of the character described, in combination, a vehicle body of the closed type having a seat with a space in back thereof and having a rigid self-contained roof portion over said seat and separable from and movable relative to the rest of said vehicle body, and a combined mounting and moving means for said roof portion for moving it in a direction into or out of said space and comprising driving means, driven means actuated by said driving means and having operative connection with said roof portion to effect movement thereof, means forming a pivot for said roof portion, and mechanism coacting with and operating in response to actuation of said driving means and driven means for effecting movement of said roof portion in two successive stages, one of which is a pivoting movement of said roof portion about the axis of said pivot-forming means and the other of which is a movement of translation of said roof portion and includes means for effecting change in position of said axis of pivoting.

JACK M. A'I'WA'I'ER. 

